A 2008 study, '''BGA - Alper Integrity Index''', conducted by the [[Better Government Association]] and sponsored by Alper Services, ranked Nevada #34 in the nation (tied with [[North Dakota]]) with an overall percentage of 48.10%.<ref>[http://www.bettergov.org/2008_bga-alper_integrity_index_/ 2008 BGA-Alper Integrity Index]</ref>

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A 2007 study, '''Graded state responsiveness to FOI requests''', conducted by [[Better Government Association|BGA]] and the [[National Freedom of Information Coalition|NFOIC]], gave Nevada 41 points out of a possible 100, a letter grade of "F", and a ranking of 35 out of the 50 states.<ref>[http://nfoic.org/states-failing-foi-responsiveness States Failing FOI Responsiveness, National Freedom of Information Coalition, October 2007]</ref>

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A 2007 study, '''Graded state responsiveness to FOI requests''', conducted by [[Better Government Association|BGA]] and the [[National Freedom of Information Coalition|NFOIC]], gave Nevada 41 points out of a possible 100, a letter grade of "F" and a ranking of 35 out of the 50 states.<ref>[http://nfoic.org/states-failing-foi-responsiveness States Failing FOI Responsiveness, National Freedom of Information Coalition, October 2007]</ref>

A 2002 study, '''Freedom of Information in the USA''', conducted by [[Investigative Reporters and Editors|IRE]] and [[Better Government Association|BGA]], ranked Nevada's law as the 36th worst in the country, giving it a letter grade of "D+".<ref>[http://legacy.ire.org/foi/bga/ ''Freedom of Information in the USA'', 2002]</ref>

A 2002 study, '''Freedom of Information in the USA''', conducted by [[Investigative Reporters and Editors|IRE]] and [[Better Government Association|BGA]], ranked Nevada's law as the 36th worst in the country, giving it a letter grade of "D+".<ref>[http://legacy.ire.org/foi/bga/ ''Freedom of Information in the USA'', 2002]</ref>

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==Features of the law==

==Features of the law==

{{Compare states|Page=Sunshine variations}}: Click on the heading to compare your state's law to other state's transparency laws.

{{Compare states|Page=Sunshine variations}}: Click on the heading to compare your state's law to other state's transparency laws.

The stated purpose of the Nevada Open Records Act "is to foster democratic principles by providing members of the public with access to inspect and copy public books".<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec001 ''Nevada Revised Statutes'' Section 239.001]</ref>

Nevada law includes all books and records of all governmental entities. <ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec010 Nevada Revised Statutes 238.010]</ref>

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::''See also: [[Declared legal intentions across the U.S.]]''

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The stated purpose of the Nevada Open Records Act "is to foster democratic principles by providing members of the public with access to inspect and copy public books."<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec001 ''Nevada Revised Statutes'' Section 239.001]</ref>

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===What records are covered?===

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::''See also: [[Defining public records]]''

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Nevada law includes all books and records of all governmental entities.<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec010 Nevada Revised Statutes 238.010]</ref>

The law extends to all elected officials and agencies of both the state and all political subdivisions of the state. <ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec005 Nevada Revised Statute 239.005]</ref>

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::''See also: [[Defining public body]]''

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The law extends to all elected officials and agencies of both the state and all political subdivisions of the state.<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec005 Nevada Revised Statute 239.005]</ref>

There is no clear exemption for the Nevada legislature under the Open Records Act and the legislature clearly falls within the definition of public body found within the act. Thus, the documents of the legislature are assumed to be open for inspection.

There is no clear exemption for the Nevada legislature under the Open Records Act and the legislature clearly falls within the definition of public body found within the act. Thus, the documents of the legislature are assumed to be open for inspection.

====Judicial exemption====

====Judicial exemption====

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Judges in Nevada have announced that they plan to seek exemption from general open records laws in 2009, and instead create their own set of rules regarding access to public records. Justice {{Jp (Sunshine Review)|Jim Hardesty}} explains the reasoning, saying: "We want to do it by court rule because there are so many practical differences between the judiciary and the executive branch" <ref>[http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_10550596 ''Judge outlines legislative plans'', Associated Press, September 24, 2008]</ref>.

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Judges in Nevada announced that they planned to seek exemption from general open records laws in 2009, and instead create their own set of rules regarding access to public records. Justice [[Judgepedia:James Hardesty|Jim Hardesty]] explained the reasoning, saying, "We want to do it by court rule because there are so many practical differences between the judiciary and the executive branch."<ref>[http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_10550596 ''Judge outlines legislative plans'', Associated Press, September 24, 2008]</ref>

The Nevada Open Records Act specifically includes in its definition of public body all private educational foundations and any local government corporations.<ref>[[Private agency, public dollars-Nevada]]</ref>

The definition of public body presumably includes public universities within the state.

The definition of public body presumably includes public universities within the state.

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===<span style="border-bottom: 1px blue solid;">[[List of who can make public record requests by state{{! (Sunshine Review)}}Who may request records?]]</span>===

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===Who may request records?===

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Anyone may request public records in [[Nevada (Sunshine Review)]]. The act explicitly states that, "A person may request a copy of a public record." <ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec010 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.010]</ref>

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::''See also: [[List of who can make public record requests by state]]''

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Anyone may request public records in [[Nevada]]. The act explicitly states that, "a person may request a copy of a public record."<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec010 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.010]</ref>

Nevada law allows for five business days to respond to open records requsts, but permits extensions if notice is given to the person making the request, in writing.<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec0107 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.0107]</ref>

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Nevada law allows five business days to respond to open records requests, but permits extensions if notice is given to the person making the request, in writing.<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec0107 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.0107]</ref>

Nevada law allows the charging of fees not to exceed the actual cost of producing the record but does not elaborate on what factors are a part of that fee. However, in cases of "extraordinary use of personnel" additional fees may be charged. <ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec055 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.055]</ref> All fees must be posted in a conspicuous place in all governmental offices. <ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec052 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.052]</ref> An additional fee is charged for the transcripts of court reports and is remitted to the court reporter.<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec053 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.053]</ref> Additional fees are also charged for information from any "geographic information system" that are meant to offset the cost of maintaining and supporting the system.<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec054 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.054]</ref> The Department of Veterans' Affairs is exempt from any fees. <ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec020 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.020]</ref>

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::''See also: [[How much do public records cost?]]''

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Nevada law allows the charging of fees not to exceed the actual cost of producing the record, but does not elaborate on what factors are a part of that fee. However, in cases of "extraordinary use of personnel," additional fees may be charged.<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec055 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.055]</ref> All fees must be posted in a conspicuous place in all governmental offices.<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec052 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.052]</ref> An additional fee is charged for the transcripts of court reports and is remitted to the court reporter.<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec053 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.053]</ref> Additional fees are also charged for information from any "geographic information system" that are meant to offset the cost of maintaining and supporting the system.<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec054 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.054]</ref> The Department of Veterans' Affairs is exempt from any fees.<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-239.html#NRS239Sec020 Nevada Revised Statutes 239.020]</ref>

The act is silent as to whether or not entities may charge search fees for locating and collecting the records. In general, fees that go beyond the cost of mere duplication are recorded by statute, implying that departments should not charge fees for labor involved in search and duplication unless otherwise required by statute.

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The act is silent as to whether entities may charge search fees for locating and collecting the records. In general, fees that go beyond the cost of mere duplication are recorded by statute, implying that departments should not charge fees for labor involved in search and duplication unless otherwise required by statute.

Although the State Attorney General may issue non-binding advisory opinions when requested to do so in regards to the state's open records law, there currently stands no provision that empowers the State Department of Law to enforce the right of the public to access governmental records.

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Although the state Attorney General may issue non-binding advisory opinions when requested to do so in regards to the state's open records law, there currently stands no provision that empowers the State Department of Law to enforce the right of the public to access governmental records.

==Open meetings==

==Open meetings==

The stated purpose of the [[Nevada Open Meeting Law]] is "that all public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business. It is the intent of the law that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly."<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-241.html#NRS241Sec010 ''Nevada Revised Statutes''] Section 241.010</ref>

The stated purpose of the [[Nevada Open Meeting Law]] is "that all public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business. It is the intent of the law that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly."<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-241.html#NRS241Sec010 ''Nevada Revised Statutes''] Section 241.010</ref>

Proposed changes

2011

2010

We have no current bill pages for Nevada from 2010. This may be due to incomplete research.

Nevada's transparency report card

A 2008 study, BGA - Alper Integrity Index, conducted by the Better Government Association and sponsored by Alper Services, ranked Nevada #34 in the nation (tied with North Dakota) with an overall percentage of 48.10%.[1]

A 2007 study, Graded state responsiveness to FOI requests, conducted by BGA and the NFOIC, gave Nevada 41 points out of a possible 100, a letter grade of "F" and a ranking of 35 out of the 50 states.[2]

A 2002 study, Freedom of Information in the USA, conducted by IRE and BGA, ranked Nevada's law as the 36th worst in the country, giving it a letter grade of "D+".[3]

What agencies are covered?

Legislature

There is no clear exemption for the Nevada legislature under the Open Records Act and the legislature clearly falls within the definition of public body found within the act. Thus, the documents of the legislature are assumed to be open for inspection.

Judicial exemption

Judges in Nevada announced that they planned to seek exemption from general open records laws in 2009, and instead create their own set of rules regarding access to public records. Justice Jim Hardesty explained the reasoning, saying, "We want to do it by court rule because there are so many practical differences between the judiciary and the executive branch."[10]

Fees for records

Copy costs

Nevada law allows the charging of fees not to exceed the actual cost of producing the record, but does not elaborate on what factors are a part of that fee. However, in cases of "extraordinary use of personnel," additional fees may be charged.[13] All fees must be posted in a conspicuous place in all governmental offices.[14] An additional fee is charged for the transcripts of court reports and is remitted to the court reporter.[15] Additional fees are also charged for information from any "geographic information system" that are meant to offset the cost of maintaining and supporting the system.[16] The Department of Veterans' Affairs is exempt from any fees.[17]

Search fees

The act is silent as to whether entities may charge search fees for locating and collecting the records. In general, fees that go beyond the cost of mere duplication are recorded by statute, implying that departments should not charge fees for labor involved in search and duplication unless otherwise required by statute.

Role of the Attorney General

Although the state Attorney General may issue non-binding advisory opinions when requested to do so in regards to the state's open records law, there currently stands no provision that empowers the State Department of Law to enforce the right of the public to access governmental records.

Open meetings

The stated purpose of the Nevada Open Meeting Law is "that all public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business. It is the intent of the law that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly."[18]